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TSA lines at Hartsfield-Jackson winding through terminal

Amid the closure of one of the security checkpoints at the world’s busiest airport, security lines were winding out of the main security checkpoint, through the terminal atrium and folding back along the baggage claim area during busy periods on Friday morning.

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport’s website listed security wait times of 40 to 50 minutes during a rush of travelers Friday morning.

It’s the second day that the Transportation Security Administration has had its Terminal South security checkpoint closed at the Atlanta airport, and heavy Friday travel volumes showed the strain on the system.

Lines stretched through the atrium, around the corner and extended back along the baggage claim area.

TSA officials say they have moved staff from the closed checkpoint to the main checkpoint to move lines faster. TSA and airport officials still advise travelers arrive at the terminal two hours early to allow time to get through the lines.

TSA is keeping the South security checkpoint closed to redesign two lanes to test a system they hope will speed screening of passengers.

"TSA officials say they have moved staff from the closed checkpoint to the main checkpoint to move lines faster. TSA and airport officials still advise travelers arrive at the terminal two hours early to allow time to get through the lines."

They have now changed that to 3 hours even though Airport personnel still claim that it is moving quickly. If the longest wait, as they say has been "north of 30 minutes" then why would you need 3 hours at the airport?

The timing of the closure and rebuild of the south terminal could have been a little better, or worked out to where keep the south open under a reduced scale without eliminating. I don;t know the details of the remodel.

Is there more to it than this? I was at NY LaGuardia last night and had the worst wait ever. 2 of 10 lines were open and 1 person was checking ID. Wasn't their budget cut or had to lay off or something? Is the slowdown on purpose to prove a point?

Stupid Republican budget cuts. This is what happens when Republicans hate government and hate this country and want it to fail. Those moron Republicans just want to cut everything in sight so we can't do anything anymore. Republicans are a disgrace to this country.

@metitotktodd You are a complete moron. TSA gets $10 in taxes for each segment flown. That's not enough? Oh yea, try to figure out how the US is trillions of dollars in debt when we should be swimming in tax money with all these "Republican" budget cuts. I'm sure if you think about this honestly your head will explode.

@metitotktodd you really should stop posting on the AJC b/c every time you do you just prove you're a total moron. you obviously can't read (must have been educated in the south). As lfelton said below.....they're remodeling and enhancing the security process in the terminal. Sorry that i used some big words there. Look them up!

Nothing new here. Had a 6:00 a.m. flight out 4/28/16; arrived at main security checkpoint at 4:45. Sign said 20-30 minute wait although line was already back in to the atrium. Only one lane open at that time with 10-15 agents milling around behind security check point. TSA supervisor told group of us when asked why only one lane open that we should have arrived at airport 2 hours before our flight. Ending up making my flight by sprinting half the length of concourse as doors were closing, but scores of people missed theirs. Poorly trained, rude people lacking management oversight. i'm a frequent traveler; Atlanta security screening is the worst I've experienced.

Typical government bureaucracy. Nothing but a waste of time. How many terrorist have they stopped? There are much better ways but they would require profiling and the libtards would be screaming. Another reason why I won't fly.

Remember who established the TSA? It was on Nov 19, 2001 when GWB was President, the House was controlled by the Republicans and the Senate was evenly split. So if you are going to complain about the TSA, look at its origins with the Republicans, not the Democrats. Of course had GWB paid attention to the warnings coming from US intelligence agencies about Bin Laden's intention to attack the homeland this may not have been needed.

I think the tsa does a good job dealing with all the crowds room for improvement yes but I have never missed a flight because of the tsa some of you people must live some miserable lives complain complain

For all you big government types out there, this is a perfect example of a huge bloated federal bureaucracy that doesn't work. Please remember TSA went crying to our useless representatives in Congress about not having enough funds to "do their job" and received more money by increasing the TSA tax to $10 on EVERY segment you fly. So what's TSA's problem now? It needs more money to fix its' problems. Typical government entity. Bloated with personnel that are totally unable to do the job. Atlanta TSA is the worst. Surly "officers" is just the beginning. Former burger flippers.

It's a temporary closure in a traditional slower travel period before Memorial Day & the busy summer travel season. The closure is to improve the efficiency of the South Terminal Check-Point. It's what you people are grumbling about. Stop being so knee-jerk reactionary & get to the airport early. The "next flight" doesnt always available seats. Sheesh.

@DON1938 not sure a private company would do any better, but you can rest assure there would be additional service fees that would be introduced, since private businesses after all exist to make money.